If an accurate barometer of the outcome of a Celtic v Rangers game is the form going into it, neither side may feel entirely confident ahead of Sunday’s Hampden semi-final date.
Celtic were off the pace against Motherwell and on the evidence of recent weeks have badly missed the influence of Reo Hatate, who can boast quite the record against the Ibrox side.
Celtic fans will hope that the midfielder is fit enough to make the starting line-up given the energy and menace he lends to the Parkhead side.
Rangers, though, somehow managed to finish the weekend further behind Celtic despite the fact that Motherwell had taken the first point of the season off of Ange Postecoglou’s side on home soil.
It was a desperate performance from Michael Beale’s side at Pittodrie and with the league title gone and the entirety of the season effectively riding on Sunday’s outcome, the big question now is whether they have the mentality to cope with the pressure that brings.
Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent are due the club some pretty big performances if, as expected, they sign out at the end of the season.
The big issue for Beale though is that of all the pressure games he has overseen since taking charge, Rangers have not emerged victorious from any of them.
He too will know that he needs to deliver.
